Grizedale Forest is listed as a top leaf-peeping spot by The Forestry Commission’s Feel Good Autumn campaign

There are lots of marked trails for cyclists, who can choose a gentle ride along bridleways or an adrenalin rush down thrilling mountain routes.

Swing through the trees on zip wires at Go Ape! and look out for the 40 sculptures littered through the forest.

Staff at the visitor centre will help plan your day. See forestry. gov.uk/grizedale.GO: Double room, with breakfast, at Grizedale Lodge, a former hunting lodge near Hawks-head, from £99 a night. See grizedale-lodge.com.

Highlands

THERE’S no better way of experiencing the great outdoors than setting up camp – with a bit of luxury.

Stay in a cool-looking Geodesic Dome at Loch Tay Lodges, with breathtaking views of the Ben Lawers mountain range.

Take the family to the Landal Kiedler Waterside where you can see native red squirrels

The award-winning resort has cycle and walking trails as well as the largest man-made lake in northern Europe, with a 26-mile shoreline.

There’s also a gym and children’s adventure play-ground. And to keep the tree theme going, you’ll stay in a wooden lodge.

GO: Four nights’ self-catering in a lodge with hot tub this autumn costs from £439 per person, based on four sharing. See landal.co.uk.

Champagne

ENJOY the vineyards of champagne when the grapes are picked, the weather is comfortably cooler and golds, browns and reds carpet the hillsides – and all less than three hours’ drive from France’s northern ports.

The vineyards of Champagne are less than a three hours’ drive from France’s northern ports

Stay in the champagne capital of Reims to discover the stunning Unesco Cathedral and explore nearby Epernay and Hautvillers where small producers and some of the world’s best champagne houses cultivate their vines.

Hire a bike and ride along protected paths or in the many green spaces including Vondelpark and Rembrandtpark or take a boat trip along the tree-lined canals.

Amsterdam is buzzing between October 18 and 22, when the city hosts an electronic music event with more than 2,000 DJs and artists playing in clubs and bars.

GO: Two nights’ room-only at the four-star NH Amsterdam Museum Quarter Hotel, from London Southend on October 18 from £228 per person or from Manchester, including B&B at the hotel, from £232. See easyjet.com/holidays.

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